Is My Vehicle Safe to Drive After an Accident?
The first thing you should do immediately after an accident is make sure everyone is safe and ok. But before you get back behind the wheel, you’ll want to take some safety measures and inspect the damage.
If your vehicle is badly damaged, a tow truck will transport it for you. Czech Auto Body does 24 hour towing and is only a phone call away. Most insurance plans offer towing coverage and will cover this expense. Not all collision damage can be seen visually. Frame, alignment, and electrical issues can be hidden and can affect your cars safety on the road. Many safety features, such as airbags, seat belts, brakes, and crumple zones, are designed to work together in the event of a collision to reduce the risk of injury. Driving a vehicle with damaged safety features can be dangerous for both you and other drivers on the road. Even minor damage can cause your car to behave differently, making it difficult to control.
Before driving your vehicle after an accident, you need to know what to look for. We’ll break it down for you.
- Frame damage: a visible bent or crushed frame can further damage functional components and damage your engine or electrical system.
- A badly damaged windshield: may reduce your visibility while driving.
- Damaged lights: any broken tail or headlights can be more dangerous at night or in low visibility conditions.
- Broken mirrors: side view mirrors are an essential safety feature and should also be intact and clean before driving.
While external parts usually make contact first during a collision, they are not the only car parts that can be damaged. It’s important to check under the hood for any internal damage.
Once the hood is open you’ll want to inspect for leaking fluid, hose damage, displaced or dented motor components.
Carefully check that your airbags and seatbelts are still fully functional before driving again. Never operate a vehicle that has airbags deployed.
Seatbelts are very essential to driver and passenger safety. If your seatbelt is tight, cut, damaged, or non-functional after a collision, you should not drive it. Have your vehicle towed.
Once you’ve gone through the exterior and visual components of your vehicle you’ll then want to to a testing driveability.
As you drive pay close attention to:
- Any unusual noises
- How your car handles
- Whether your vehicle is pulling to one side or the other.
- How do your brakes feel and sound
While a DIY inspection can help determine if your vehicle is still driveable, it’s still essential to get a professional inspection done from a trusted repair shop.
At Czech Auto Body, our technicians will:
- Identify any hidden damage
- Write a proper repair plan with costs and provide a timeline
- Ensure your car is safe to drive
- Help you navigate through the insurance claim and process
At Czech Auto Body, we are committed to helping Central Minnesota drivers stay safe on the road by offering high quality repairs and excellent customer service. Contact us today!
